I followed Celtic’s accounts since Fergus took over and started posting them out to us. Around the same time I began following those of David Murray’s MIH and Rangers, the fortunes of each, and ultimately of the rest of Scottish football, were intertwined.
Fergus ran a stable ship, but things kicked off when Dermot Desmond replaced him as Celtic’s largest shareholder. In Dermot’s first season in charge, excesses were lavished with England and Liverpool legendary player, John Barnes, in charge. That didn’t work out but the next season, with Martin O’Neill in charge, spending took off in a fashion never before seen at Celtic. A treble arrived, but the financial losses were eye-watering.
The trouble was, we had all gotten used to this new level of spending. Dermot was applauded (by some) for matching the “ambition” of David Murray, so much so, that finding a route back to sanity was always going to be a challenge.
Then came the Seville season. Celtic Park was packed out for European fixtures until April, while domestic games were also a sell-out. The commercial team did a deal with shirt sponsor NTL to have the new season’s strip launched early. It looked like every able bodied person in Scotland had purchased the new Celtic strip.
That summer I waited for the accounts to drop. This document would reveal our true potential. The first sign of trouble was an email, “Alert for Celtic PLC Final Results”, on the afternoon of a Champions League qualifier. I anticipated good news story, but good news would surely be stage managed better than to slip out on the afternoon of a game?
The document revealed we lost £7m, despite Stuttgart, Celta, Liverpool, Boavista, Blackburn and Siduva. Despite all those shirt sales. We beat MTK comfortably, lots of people were happy, but I knew why these accounts were released on a match day; Celtic were living beyond their means and that could not go on forever.
OK, so we released accounts on a game day, giving the news cycle four hours to digest and report before Henrik and Co. moved the story on. On Wednesday, Newco didn’t press the publish button until they were a goal up against Kilmarnock! This could be the work of Charles Foster Kane.
Within a minute, karma struck. Kilmarnock equalised, Xanadu lost.
You will know the detail by now. On a turnover of £32.6m, Newco lost £14.3m, this, coming years after comments such as: “just about breakeven” soothed the masses.
The accounts themselves are horrible, but, of course, now historic. Income for this season will rise with Europa League qualification, while costs associated with the recruitment necessary to propel the club to fourth in the league will also rise significantly.
The question is, if you act like Citizen Kane, do you follow the same trajectory?
Really looking forward to Hearts tomorrow. After the week they have had, a bit of karma must be coming their way.
Celtic Supporters’ Association
Annual Memorial Mass
for all Celtic Supporters & Their Families
Tomorrow at 12.30 the annual memorial Mass for ALL Celtic supporters and families is held at St Michael’s, 1350 Gallowgate, a short walk from the stadium. A time for us to remember those who passed on the club over the last 130 years. There will be tea and coffee in the hall for you before you head to the game.
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Big Sutton,Darryl Curry,Derek Mc Innes,some of the ones backing Neil.See if its highlighted at BTs next game and discussed.
Brilliant statement from Lenny.
I’m Spartacus
As his current employer maybe Hibs should lead the way
#we are all Neil Lennon
I’m Spartacus
Hibs (board) that is
applause on 18 mins – great idea Bada
the very sad but true tale of eric douglas the comedian, who was having a hard time on stage and going down poorly with the crowd, who broke down and shouted,
“do you know who i am ?” ………. “i am kirk douglas’s son”
silence, then
“no, i am kirk douglas’s son”
St Stivs, second cousins and great uncles lived there. Bradley was the name.
Tonight on Ebay I ordered a chicken and an egg.
I’ll let you know
That awkward moment when moment when Gary Caldwell returns to score another own goal
Diet Huns deflect from Sevco accounts
NFL
What a hero. Sometimes just telling the truth makes you a danger and a rebel.
HH jg
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 2ND NOVEMBER 2018 4:06 PM
That awkward moment when moment when Gary Caldwell returns to score another own goal
VG
Police spokesman on BBC Radio Scotland news has just spoken (unbidden) about ” sectarian singing ” from Celtic supporters at Dens Park on Wednesday. No mention of the weekly bigot fest at ibrox and the singing there on Wednesday Billy Boys et al.
Since the comments from Neil and his agent about anti Irish racism, the whataboutery is now in full flow.
Expect more of the same.
Thanks for replies, if anyone deserves our support it’s Neil, nobody has suffered more for wearing our colours.
Lord Bendtner in trouble
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46076839
Just voted for French Eddie………..Still 1%
Police Scotland and BBC Scotland, two bastions of We are the People
You can see why they wouldnt mention the forces of darkness as most of them would have been involved in the singing. Just check the amount of cars that come out of the Police car park after a game at snake mountain has finished. Actually seen a dark BMW with RFC as their registration.
God bless Neil Lennon.
Fugg the lot of them lennie- you got my backing
Good evening Timland from a Neil Lennon’s Garngad
Give them both barrels Lenny Bhoy
We are all Neil Lennon
D. :)
I often wonder where Neil finds the strength and bravery that he shows when he is verbally or physically attacked. He manages to remain consistent in his reaction, never backs down or changes his stance and continues to call them out.
It,s one thing standing up for yourself when faced by a bigot in the street or in the pub. Totally different ball game when the eyes of the country are on you and you know you will not get the backing that you deserve. I am not talking about the out and out bigots that do not try to hide it, I am talking about the run of the mill “decent” person who will not stand up and back him.
Why is this? it’s because Neil holds up a mirror to Scotland and people don’t like what they see in that mirror.A country that has lived with and fed the big elephant in the room, some are uncomfortable with it but a are happy to ignore and blame the victim as it makes them sleep easier at night.
GOD BLESS Neil and his family I doubt if I could show the same courage in his situation.
Highlandbhoy.
I AM NEIL LENNON……
TURKEYBHOY on 2ND NOVEMBER 2018 3:48 PM
Once again the “Celtic Board”getting dragged into it.
Good God,why dont they solve the problems in the 3rd world as well.
*******
Celtic dont owe the Third World anything… but, in my view, they sure as shit owe NFL something.
He only got the abuse he did because he joined Celtic. And, in spite of the crap he go, he represented Celtic with class and dignity.
I dont think the Club did enough to show their support for him (e.g., with the Shame Game)
The club has the chance to, in some small measure, begin to right that wrong.
the Club should look at this as a second chance to do the right thing… and to do right by NFL
I hope they take it..
Who would win in a fight between Pointless and The Chase?
No doubt our Scottish Government will pick this up and endeavour to drive out the hatred of Irish catholics in our society, as will the Scottish media, and the police.
jamesgang on 2nd November 2018 4:11 pm
NFL
What a hero. Sometimes just telling the truth makes you a danger and a rebel.
HH jg
…………………………………………
Ain’t that the Truth, the Word.
Brilliant.
Something inside so Strong.
anybody ever drink Power’s 12 year old ? Friend recommended it above yellow spot and redbreast !!!!
“Lennon ‘may reconsider position’ “ is the misleading BBC news app headline.
The Green Brigade annual Food Drive will take place before the home match Vs Hearts on November 3rd.
This will be the 6th consecutive year we have appealed to the rest of the Celtic support to help people of Glasgow and beyond in the run up to Christmas, and each time it has been met by an overwhelming response.
Last year, a massive 19 tonnes of food was distributed across the city, with a further £14,000 making its way up and down Scotland. These donations have, in some cases, literally kept food banks from closure; the difference we all make as a support cannot be underestimated.
Once again, we will look to donate a sum of money to Scottish Action for Refugees, while also supporting ‘The Invisibles’ charity to help the homeless community in Glasgow.
Our Food Drive initiative has been a huge success year on year and is comfortably the biggest of its kind in Scotland – simply down to the sheer generosity and goodwill of the Celtic fans. We are hopeful that this collection will be no different, and we will once again be grateful for any donations made, no matter how big or small.
“A football club will be formed for the maintenance of dinner tables for the children and the unemployed”
@GB
!!BADA BING!! on 2ND NOVEMBER 2018 1:57 PM
How about a round of applause on the 18th minute, Neil’s shirt shirt number at CP,to stand in support and solidarity with him and his family, against the mini huns as well.
######
How about, yourself and your 53,000 spineless ‘commrade’s’ looking your selves in the mirror, and admitting that, NFL stood up against the MIBs, bringing them out on strike, only for the PLC to throw NFL under the bus, then you, and your 53,000 spinless ‘commrade’s’ voted the equally spineless PLC board back into office ?
Who’s fault is it that so called rebellious Celtic supporters looked the other way, as the spineless PLC board kowtowed to the racist Scottish establishment, to put £49 ticket fueled Old Firm racism, ahead of, trophy stripping and, Supreme Court backed justice ?
Its enough to make you sick!
Who are the “gullibilly’s” ?
Aye.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Fortyniner back after snoozing
Sky Sports Scotland run a 4 minute clip of Neil Lennon press conference but edit out –
“It’s the exact same when I get called a Fenian, a pauper, a beggar, a tarrier.
STV and The Scotsman online run with that quote unedited.
“You call it sectarianism here in Scotland, I call it racism. If a black man is abused, you are not just abusing the colour of his skin, you are abusing his culture, his heritage, his background. It’s the exact same when I get called a Fenian, a pauper, a beggar, a tarrier. “These people with the sense of entitlement or superiority complex. And all I do is stand up for myself.”
STV news at six run a heavily edited version and move on to a broader story on sectarianism.
If you are ever in any doubt as to how despised NFL is just start a conversation about him in any social gathering and you will be able to pick out the bigots by just looking at their faces ,they do not even have to say a word or engage with the conversation ,it is just like flicking a switch .
The hatred is there in an instant ,their mask slips and they cannot hide it .
IMO the anger and the hatred you see on their faces is not just because NL winds peepil up (there are countless people in football that wind supporters up ) ,no ,it is because of his background ,pure and simple .
Also when you get ershol*s like ex police chief Les Gray coming out and trying to lay the trouble at the door of NFL then that totally explains why Lenny has had to endure 18 yrs of this bile in this country .
If anyone on CQN is looking in and happens to be in a social gathering with Les Gray ,start a conversation about NFL and pay very close attention to Mr Gray’s face .
Hail Hail
I’m Neil Lennon
Brendan’s Presser
Snyde on about the hibs heart game
……………………………… James Forrest wins Scottish player of the month for the first time aged 27
Stv going for the one is as bad as the other, no mention of the fact that the minority have been marganalised, descriminated against and threatened by a majority who are comfortable abusing our culture and dressing up their hate and ignorance with plastic padfy jokes and the two sides of the same coin shite.
Say nothing, continue to get abused.
Say something, get Blame as being part of problem.
Stand tall and tall the how it is, get beaten and Blamed.
During my life i have been in all three positions.
We are all NL